Pacific Northwest Ballet has pulled out all the stops with this sumptuous new production of “The Sleeping Beauty.” Based on the original Marius Petipa’s choreography and set to the glorious music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky from 1889, this production brings together the best of the old and the new. With a distinctive concept by Peter Boal, working with master Scenic Designer, Preston Singletary, and Projection Designer Wendall K. Harrington, the ballet is set in a fantasy land of the great Pacific Northwest and infused with the art and heritage of the native Tlingit culture thus bringing a unique look and feel to this stunning production.
The Story: Based on a French Fairytale, Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy, Carabosse, to sleep for one hundred years before being awakened by the kiss of a handsome Prince. The Lilac Fairy knowing that Aurora would be frightened if alone when she wakes puts the entire kingdom to sleep so they may awaken with her. Hence, the happy kingdom revels in an elaborate celebration as Princess Aurora and Prince Desire marry.
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Dylan Wald as the wicked fairy Carabosse in Peter Boal’s new staging of The Sleeping Beauty – Photo © Angela Sterling.
The enchantment begins instantly as a swooping eagle, a raven and a flurry of monarch butterflies animate the downstage screen in a gorgeous montage set to the melodious Tchaikovsky score. This mesmerizing effect created by Harrington sets us up for a night of magic. Through the reliably gorgeous lens of lighting designer Reed Nakayama the set is revealed. A massive Eagle stairway set-piece and hanging mobiles of driftwood or perhaps whale bone sway overhead as we enter the kingdom for a party to introduce baby Aurora to the kingdom.
From here the ballet follows a tried-and-true formula with recreated and augmented choreography by Peter Boal and Doug Fullington. What is not formulaic are the breathtaking costumes worn by every performer no matter how small the role. Tony Award winning Costume Designer, Paul Tazewell, informed by the Tlingit esthetic has created costumes for the ages. From the entrance of King Papillon, Miles Pertl and Queen Papillon, Amanda Morgan, we know we are in for an extraordinary parade of ballet fashion. Each and every costume is a work of art.
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Elle Macy as the Lilac Fairy, with company dancers in Peter Boal’s new staging of The Sleeping Beauty – Photo © Angela Sterling.
The Christening of baby Aurora introduces us to many characters including the beautiful Lilac Fairy, Elle Macy, and her attendants, along with a plethora of fairies, pages, gift bearers, courtiers, and party goers. This not only allows for much celebratory and entertaining dancing but also grants the many students of the PNB school the opportunity to perform onstage. Just as the party winds down the evil fairy Carabosse, a swaggering Dylan Wald, enters to do her dastardly best to destroy Aurora’s future. She is a dark yet magnificent figure who takes her pet rats everywhere she goes thanks to puppet designer Basil Twist. The die is cast and we know that eventually her dire prediction will come to pass. Within this Act there is much festive presentational dancing all of it well executed and pleasant but it is more about the spectacle than the choreography.
A now grown Princess Aurora, the delightful Angelica Generosa, is ready to meet her suitors which she does with plucky excitement. Her courters, Christopher D’Ariano, Melisa Guilliams, Christian Poppe, and Luther DeMyer, all acquit themselves well but are primarily there to showcase Aroura as she shows off her ability to balance, albeit shakily, on pointe in a well-known ballet trope. Once again, this celebration allows for many students to perform and again they do so with youthful enthusiasm. As the party is ending Carabosse raises her ugly head and tricks Aurora into pricking her finger and she falls into a stupor, just as predicted.
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Angelica Generosa as the Princess Aurora, with company dancers during the “Rose Adagio” in Peter Boal’s new staging of The Sleeping Beauty – Photo © Angela Sterling.
To open Act II, a mesmerizing projection of a turning astrological wheel clocks the passage of time until the curtain opens one hundred years later, revealing a happy hunting party. The crowd is soon joined by Prince Desire, an elegant but cautious, Jonathan Batista. Here the large cast of revelers dance the afternoon away in the light of the dark forest which has over-taken Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Proficiently danced by one and all this act moves along well yet once again, the sets and costumes outshine the choreography.
When Prince Desire cuts through the brambles to rescue Princess Aurora with a kiss we know a wedding will follow and the divertissements will begin anew. All gather for the celebration including a terrific Puss in Boots & The White Cat, comically danced by Price Suddarth and Madison Rayn Abeo. The Blue Bird & Princess Florine, Mark Cuddihee and Clara Ruf Maldonado and Little Red Riding Hood & The Wolf, an adorable Yui Kohon and Ryan Cardea are among the many highlights of this fun but predictable fete.
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Angelica Generosa and Jonathan Batista, with company dancers in Peter Boal’s new staging of The Sleeping Beauty – Photo © Angela Sterling.
The final pas de deux of the now married couple is nicely executed but shy of show stopping. Still the overall production is so beautifully and lovingly brought to the stage it is hard not to cheer for Sleeping Beauty, Prince Desire and the whole kingdom.
The PNB orchestra conducted by Emil de Cou with soloists, Michael Jinsoo Lim on violin and Page Smith on cello, is top-notch as always.
Once again PNB has infused a classic ballet with a brilliantly original concept and filled it with extraordinary style that sometimes eclipses the dancing. Yet, this is a wonderful show for balletomanes, families and newcomers alike and as always, I look forward to whatever they do next.
For more information about Pacific Northwest Ballet, please visit their website.
Written by Tam Warner for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Angelica Generosa and Jonathan Batista in Peter Boal’s new staging of The Sleeping Beauty – Photo © Angela Sterling.
